Gastrocopta armigerella (Reinhardt, 1877) and Gastrocopta theeli (Westerlund, 1877) in western Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan, and their further occurrence in Asia (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pupilloidea)

A recent study reveals the presence of two Gastrocopta species, G. armigerella and G. theeli, in the western Tien Shan region of Kyrgyzstan, with findings suggesting that G. armigerella may be extinct in this area. The research, based on drift material analysis at high water lines in river floodplains, indicates that these occurrences are likely sub-fossil or fossil shells from the Holocene or Pleistocene periods, rather than living specimens. This discovery expands the known distribution of G. armigerella to central and western Asia, while also marking the first documentation of G. theeli in this region. The study employs morphological comparisons and field surveys to support these conclusions.

Meng, S., & Bößneck, U. (2018). Gastrocopta armigerella (Reinhardt, 1877) and Gastrocopta theeli (Westerlund, 1877) in western Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan, and their further occurrence in Asia (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pupilloidea). ZooKeys, 807, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.807.29113